KUWAIT CITY, Oct 6: Recent statistics from the Public Authority for Civil Information reveal that Kuwait is home to 322 centenarians, individuals aged 100 years and older. Among this group, 160 are Kuwaiti nationals, while 162 are non-Kuwaitis.

According to data published on June 30, the total number of centenarians includes 82 men and 240 women. Specifically, there are 160 Kuwaiti centenarians—45 men and 115 women—alongside 162 non-Kuwaiti centenarians, consisting of 37 men and 125 women.

Dr. Ali Al-Qattan, a geriatrics consultant and head of the geriatrics unit at Mubarak Hospital, attributes the increase in life expectancy to enhancements in the quality of life in Kuwait. He noted a global trend of rising life expectancy, which is evident in the Arab region and in Kuwait.

In an interview with Al-Rai, Dr. Al-Qattan mentioned that the current percentage of elderly individuals (aged 65 and older) in Kuwait stands at about 5 percent. He anticipates that this figure could increase to between 10 and 15 percent based on indicators and statistics from the Public Authority for Civil Information.

With 5 percent of the population classified as elderly, there is a growing demand for specialized services, currently provided by relevant authorities and individuals. Should the elderly population exceed 10 percent, a significant segment of society will be involved in delivering services to this demographic, potentially placing considerable pressure on the middle class. To address this issue, preparations must be made to accommodate the anticipated growth of the elderly population and enhance service provision.

Dr. Al-Qattan highlighted that the current 5 percent figure represents over 136,000 elderly people in Kuwait, both Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti, aged 65 and above. He emphasized the necessity for adequate services for this growing population, noting that Kuwait currently has 322 individuals aged over 100 years. He explained that improved quality of life directly correlates with increased life spans.

The geriatrics consultant underscored the importance of ensuring that health, social services, and the legal framework for the elderly are adequately equipped to meet the needs of this rising demographic. He recognized that Kuwaiti society possesses social support and religious incentives beneficial to elderly individuals and urged for these advantages to be harnessed to support this group through collective efforts from the state.

In a related discussion, Dr. Al-Qattan noted the absence of specific statistics on Alzheimer’s disease. He pointed out that accurate data on the number of dementia patients, of which Alzheimer’s is one type, is currently lacking. Measuring dementia prevalence within the community is challenging due to difficulties in conducting comprehensive surveys. Many cases may go unrecorded as families often perceive forgetfulness as a normal part of aging.

Instead of pursuing a general survey, Dr. Al-Qattan recommended that families be provided with information on recognizing the disease in its early stages, including its initial symptoms and appropriate clinics to consult. He believes that raising awareness is essential for understanding the prevalence of dementia in society.

Global Alzheimer's disease score:

15 to 20 percent for those aged 71 to 79 years.

20 percent for individuals aged 80 years and older.